Dispenser device

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates generally to materials handling and in particular to apparatus for dispensing materials in fine powder form, such as for example toner. According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a dispenser device including: a dispenser device body ( 10 ) having an inlet end ( 14 ) and an outlet end ( 16 ); a transport passage ( 12 ) arranged therebetween, wherein the cross-sectional internal dimension at the inlet end ( 22 ) of the transport passage ( 12 ) are equal to or smaller than the cross-sectional internal dimension at the outlet end ( 16 ) of the transport passage ( 12 ); at least two sealable connector sections ( 18, 20 ), located at or near the inlet ( 14 ) and outlet ends ( 16 ), the device when in use being sealingly connectable with filler vessels and unfilled vessels respectively. The arrangement is such that the sealable connection between said dispenser device and said unfilled vessel provides a substantially air tight seal so that air within the unfilled vessel is displaced by powder from the filler vessel and passes through the transport passage during the filling operation. This provides for a significant advantage in that the air causes agitation of the material within the passage, reducing the chances of clogging and blockage.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/516,917, filed May 25, 2005, which is a national stage application,the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

The present invention relates generally to materials handling and inparticular to apparatus for dispensing materials in fine powder form,such as for example toner.

Known methods of dispensing materials in powdered form incorporatefunnel-shaped devices, wide at their inlet and narrow at their outlet,and generally utilise gravity for dispensing material. However, finepowders in these systems can often form blockages and jam in the funnel,stopping material flow. Agitating means are used to unblock the funnelor prevent blockages, but require energy, labour, maintenance, and maybe noisy and costly.

The present invention seeks to alleviate at least some of theabovementioned disadvantages.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided adispenser device including: a dispenser device body having an inlet endand an outlet end; a transport passage arranged therebetween, whereinthe cross-sectional internal dimension at the inlet end of the transportpassage are smaller than the cross-sectional internal dimension at theoutlet end of the transport passage; at least two sealing connectorsections, located at or near the inlet and outlet ends respectively, thedevice when in use being sealingly connectable with filler vessels andunfilled vessels respectively.

The arrangement is such that the sealable connection between saiddispenser device and said unfilled vessel provides a substantially airtight seal so that air within the unfilled vessel is displaced by powderfrom the filler vessel, and passes through the transport passage duringa filling operation. This provides for a significant advantage in thatthe air causes agitation of the material within the passage, reducingthe chances of clogging and blockage.

The sealable connecting section may be any suitable shape, and may takeadvantage of known sealing methods, including threaded portions, foam orrubber strips and light friction fits. It may also take the form of aflat or contoured plate, or indeed any shaped face which correspondswith another surface to reduce leakage of dust particles duringdispensing from vessel to vessel. A plurality of sizes and shapes ofseal may be incorporated on one apparatus, making one apparatustransferable across differing brands and styles of vessel, using aplurality of discrete sealing sizes, or tapered sections.

The transport passage may include rounded shoulders at its inlet end. Inone form of the invention, the inner surface of the inner wall of thetransport passage is preferably a continuous generally smooth taperedconfiguration, tapering outwardly from the inlet end towards the outletend.

The contour formed by the inner wall of the transport passage may differfrom the contour formed by the exterior wall of the transport passage.The exterior wall of the transport passage may be shaped to correspondto the inlet or access portion of the unfilled vessel, therebyincorporating the sealable connector portion.

The dispenser device body may be constructed from any suitable material,such as for example, any suitable polymer, machinable or mouldable ininjection moulding processes, or from suitable metals or alloys. Thedevice may include one or more parts, and may be constructed from one ormore materials, for example, the sealing means as mentioned above may beconstructed from foam or rubber, operatively connected to other parts ofthe device.

Locating means may be provided for locating with a retaining portion onthe unfilled vessel. In one form the locating means is in the form ofone or more projections mounted on the external periphery of thedispenser device, which locates into or underneath a holding ledge, formaintaining sealing contact between dispenser device and the unfilledvessel.

Clips may be used to retain the device against the unfilled vessel. Theclips may engage the locating means and assist in maintaining sealingcontact between dispenser device and unfilled vessel.

The filler vessel and unfilled vessel are preferably sealed, except fortheir respective filling outlet and filling inlet. This allows the airtransferred from the unfilled vessel to the filler vessel during thefilling operation to be contained within the vessels.

Preferred embodiments will now be described with reference to theaccompanying drawings, and in those drawings:

FIG. 1 shows section views (a), (c), and (e) and perspective views (b),(d) and (f) of three example embodiments according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 shows section view (a), plan view (b) and perspective view (c) ofanother embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows section view (a), plan view (b) and perspective view (c) ofyet another embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows plan view (a) and perspective view (b) of another exampleembodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows section view (a) and perspective view (b) of yet anotherembodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 6-10 show examples of different ways that the dispenser devicesmay interrelate in order to transfer material from filling vessel tounfilled vessel.

Referring to FIGS. 1-5, like numerals have been used to describe likeparts. Thus, referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a dispensing apparatusgenerally indicated at 10, including an inlet end 14, an outlet end 16,an enclosed transport passage 12, an inlet sealable connector section 18and outlet sealable connector section 30.

Referring to FIGS. 1( a) and 1(b), in the form shown the transportpassage 12 is a hollow cylinder. Its internal diameter at its inlet end22 is smaller than the internal diameter at its outlet end 16, and theinternal wall 24 forms an outwardly tapering tube. The sealableconnector sections 18 and 30 take the form of threaded connections 20(inlet) and 26 (outlet).

Referring to FIGS. 1( c) and 1(d), as stated above, like numerals denotelike parts, however, some points of difference include: the outletsealable connector section 130 does not include threaded connection asin FIGS. 1( a) and (b), but a push fit which includes protruding rings126. A taper in the external wall 130 of the transport passage 112 at128 allows location and sealing of the device in the opening of anunfilled vessel (not shown). The taper allows one or more opening sizesto be accommodated.

Referring to FIGS. 1( e) and 1(f) there is shown a similar embodiment toFIGS. 1( c) and (d), however, rather than a sealable connector sectionsuitable for a small range of opening sizes, FIGS. 1( e) and (f) show anembodiment suitable for sealing three discrete opening sizes over alarger range. That is, external walls 230 of the transport passage 212gradually accommodate for larger variations in aperture size in theunfilled vessel, where discrete increases in external diameter 228, 229and 2-31 are formed into the shaft of the transport passage 212. Fromthe inlet end of the interior wall of the transport passage the roundedshoulders 222 widen rapidly to point 225 and then the wall 224 of thetransport passage 212 lightly outwardly tapers to the outlet.

Referring to FIG. 2 there is shown an embodiment according to thepresent invention wherein the outlet sealable connector section 330takes the form of a plate 332 with an arcuate section 335 to correspondwith the inlet of a particular unfilled vessel (not shown). The plate332 includes a foam adhered to its underside (not shown), substantiallyat its perimeter, to further improve the sealing effect of the plate332. The transport passage 312 is essentially constant diameterthroughout or lightly outwardly tapering, assisting material flow. Theinlet section 314 is sealed not with a threaded section as with previousexample embodiments but with a simple push-fit system, incorporatingessentially parallel internal walls at 320.

Retaining means are provided at 350 in the form of projections or lugs351 and 352. These retaining means 350 engage with corresponding holdingmeans (not shown) on the unfilled vessel (not shown).

Further retaining means 350 in the form of a drop-down plate section 353is used in conjunction with clip (not shown) to hold the dispenserdevice against the unfilled vessel (not shown).

The embodiment shown in FIG. 3 is similar to that shown in FIG. 2however there is no arcuate section, simply a plate shown at 432. Again,foam (not shown) improves the sealing qualities of the plate 432.

Similar retaining means as in FIG. 2 are shown in FIG. 3 at 450, and453.

Referring to FIG. 4 there is shown another example embodiment accordingto the present invention wherein the outlet sealable connector section530 is located at the outer face of a triangular plate, corresponding tothe inlet of an unfilled vessel (not shown). A very short transportpassage 512 is employed, and the material quickly flows from the inletside 514 to the outlet side 516 of the apparatus.

Referring to FIG. 5 there is shown an embodiment similar to those shownin FIGS. 2 and 3, however the plate 632 is angled. Other aspects of theembodiment are the same as those shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, with likenumerals denoting like parts.

The invention may operate singly or in combination with other exampleembodiments. For example, a filling vessel may be screwed into inlet end114 or 214, of devices 110 and 210 respectively, and the outlet ends 116and 216 thereof may be push-fitted into the openings of unfilled vessels(not shown). Once the filling vessel is inverted, flow occurs. Agitationis not required during flow, however some small agitation may berequired before inversion and flow occurs.

Other combinations may be made, for example, a filling vessel (notshown) may be screwed into the inlet end 214 of device 210. The outlet216 of vessel 210 may then be push-fitted into inlet ends 314, 514, or614. The corresponding outlet ends 316, 516, 616 are then sealablyconnected to the openings of unfilled vessels (not shown).

Still, other combinations may be made: for example, a filling vessel(not shown) may be screwed into the inlet end 114 of device 110. Theoutlet 116 of vessel 110 may then be push-fitted into inlet end 414. Thecorresponding outlet ends 416, are then sealably connected to theopening of unfilled vessel (not shown).

In further combinations, the outlet end of a filling vessel (not shown)may be screwed into the inlet end 14 of device 10. The outlet end 16 isthen screwed into the inlet 114 or 214 of devices 110 or 210respectively to form assemblies 650 (FIG. 6(iv)) and 660 (FIG. 6(v)).

The outlet end 116 and 216 of assembly 660 (FIG. 6(v)) or 650 (FIG.6(iv)) may be push-fitted into an unfilled vessel (not shown).

Outlet end 116 of assembly 660 may be inserted, for example into: theinlet end 414 of device 410 to form dispenser assembly 680 (FIG. 8).

Outlet end 216 of assembly 650 may be inserted, for example, into one ofthe following:

-   -   the inlet end 314 of device 310 to form dispenser assembly 690        (FIG. 7);    -   the inlet end 514 of device 510 to form dispenser assembly 670        (FIG. 9);    -   the inlet end 614 of device 610 to form dispenser assembly 700        (FIG. 10).

To commence flow of material, the outlet sealable connector part (130,etc) of the dispenser devices 110, 210 or dispenser assemblies (660,etc) is sealingly connected to the inlet of an unfilled vessel (notshown) by pushing into (eg FIGS. 1( c)-1(f), 6(iv), 6(v) and 9) or byplacing against (eg FIGS. 7, 8 and 10). If they are not already, theapparatus and vessels are arranged such that the filling vessel (notshown) is generally vertically above the device (10, 110 etc) and theunfilled vessel (not shown). The filling vessel is inverted in thisposition, so that gravity may assist the downward flow of the powderthrough the mouth of the filling vessel, which is below its base. Noagitation of the filling vessel is required during filling of theunfilled vessel, however, some minor agitation of the filling vessel maybe required before attachment to a dispenser device (10, 110). Theoutwardly tapered or parallel cross-section of the interior of thetransport passage (12, 112 etc) and seals between vessels and dispenserdevice allow air exchange from the unfilled vessel to the fillingvessel. Thus, displaced air from the unfilled vessel bubbles through thepowder and transport passage and into the filler vessel, agitating thepowder. Blocking of the transport passage (12, 112, etc) with lumps ofpowder is therefore minimised, promoting free flow of the powder.

Finally, various alterations, modifications and/or additions may beincorporated into the various constructions and arrangements of partswithout departing from the spirit or ambit of the invention.

1. A method for filling a container with a fine powder, comprising:fitting a first end of a nozzle to a first filler container containing afine powder, forming a substantially air-tight seal between the firstfiller container and a second container by fitting a second end of thenozzle to an opening in the second container containing air, positioningthe first filler container above the second container, and transferringair from the second container to the first filler container and the finepowder from the first filler container to the second container.
 2. Themethod according to claim 1, wherein when the air from the secondcontainer enters the first filler container, it facilitates flow of thefine powder to the second container by creating turbulence in the finepowder as it passes through the fine powder.
 3. The method according toclaim 1, wherein the fine powder is toner.
 4. The method according toclaim 1, wherein the fine powder is not agitated by a force from outsidethe first filler container or the second container during transferringthe air and the fine powder.
 5. The method according to claim 1, furthercomprising agitating the fine powder after positioning the first fillercontainer above the second container and before transferring the air andthe fine powder.
 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the nozzlecomprises an internal passage for transferring air from the secondcontainer to the first filler container and the fine powder from thefirst filler container to the second container, the internal passagecomprising an inlet for receiving the fine powder from the first fillingcontainer and an outlet for transferring the fine powder from the nozzleto the second container; and a cross-sectional dimension of the internalpassage at the inlet is smaller than a cross-sectional dimension of theinternal passage at the outlet.
 7. The method according to claim 1,wherein the nozzle is fitted to one of the first filler container andthe second container by either screwing or snap-fitting.
 8. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the nozzle comprises an outside surface ofvarying dimensions, the nozzle being able to be fitted to a plurality ofsecond containers with openings of corresponding varying dimensions. 9.The method according to claim 1, wherein forming the substantiallyair-tight seal between the first filler container and the secondcontainer comprises attaching a sealing member to the second containerand attaching the nozzle to the sealing member.
 10. The method accordingto claim 9, wherein the sealing member is a plate.